Rise Academy in Summerville, South Carolina on DonorsChoose

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Research demonstrates a clear connection between low literacy and involvement in the criminal justice system: students who are not proficient in reading by fourth grade, combined with other risk factors, are far more likely to face academic failure, poverty, limited employment opportunities, and even incarceration. Statistics show that 85% of juveniles in the court system are functionally low literate, and 70% of incarcerated adults cannot read at a fourth-grade level. These realities are sobering, yet your generosity gives us the power to change them.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, we are creating a reading environment that goes beyond instruction and intervention. Our students now have access to a reading room stocked with multi-level, high-interest books, and audio/recording equipment that allows them to engage with literacy in new, dynamic ways. Your gift enables students to participate in community literacy initiatives, from reading with seniors and tutoring younger students to recording books for children who have incarcerated parents. These experiences teach students that their voices matter, that literacy is a tool for connection, and that they can positively impact the lives of others while building confidence and self-worth.\r\n\r\nEvery day, we witness the impact of your generosity. A student who once hesitated to open a book now becomes absorbed in a story, discovering new ideas and imagining new possibilities. Another student uses recording equipment to create audiobooks that will bring comfort and connection to children experiencing separation from a parent. These moments, small as they may seem, are profound—they are evidence that your support is changing lives and breaking cycles of disadvantage.\r\n\r\nYour contribution also sends an even more powerful message: that our students are worthy of belief and investment. In a world where they often face doubt and low expectations, your generosity tells them that people outside of their immediate environment see their potential and care about their success. This message of hope, paired with tangible resources, is creating lasting change in both our students and our community.\r\n\r\nThank you for standing with Rise Academy and the Rise Readers program. Your support helps us not only teach literacy but build confidence, resilience, and a brighter future for students who have historically faced so many obstacles. 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Your gift is not just a donation—it is a lifeline that empowers students to find their voice, build confidence, and overcome barriers that have too often limited their opportunities.\r\n\r\nAt Rise Academy, we serve middle and high school students who are statistically at-risk and who face challenges that extend far beyond the classroom. Many of our students live in low-income households, struggle with literacy, and face obstacles that make school and life feel overwhelming. Research shows the deep connection between low literacy and involvement in the criminal justice system. Students who are not proficient in reading by fourth grade are significantly more likely to experience academic failure, economic hardship, and even incarceration. These statistics are sobering, yet your support gives us the power to rewrite these narratives—one student, one book, and one reading experience at a time.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom and reading room are now becoming spaces of possibility and growth. Your contribution allows us to stock high-interest, multi-level reading materials that engage students at all skill levels. It gives us the ability to provide intervention and support tailored to each learner. But your gift goes beyond the books and tools—it sends a message to our students that they are worthy of attention, care, and investment. That message alone can transform a young person's outlook on themselves and their future.\r\n\r\nThrough your generosity, we are also able to extend literacy beyond our school walls. Students now have opportunities to participate in literacy outreach, reading with senior communities, tutoring elementary students, and recording books for children who have incarcerated parents. 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About this school

Rise Academy is a public school in Summerville, South Carolina that is part of Dorchester School District Two. It serves 401 students in grades 6 - 12. Its teachers have had 3 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades 6 - 12

401 Students

# of teachers unavailable

1325 Boone Hill Rd Suite A

Summerville, SC 29483 View local requests

https://rise.ddtwo.org/

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Rise Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Rise Academy Demographics

61%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

41%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Rise Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.

Rise Academy

$2,848

raised using DonorsChoose

projects funded

teachers funded

donors

Rise Academy has received support from 5 individuals from South Carolina and 0 individuals out-of-state.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Rise Academy

About this school

Equity Focus School

Rise Academy Teachers on DonorsChoose

Share & help us grow support

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Rise Academy Demographics

Rise Academy Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

Rise Academy

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.